Vivendi up after BFMTV reports on email that may imply Bollorés' de facto control

Canal+ SA

29/05/2026 09:19

** Shares of Vivendi VIV.PA rise 6.5% after French media outlet BFMTV published parts of an internal email that could support claims that the Bolloré family exercised de facto control over the company
** Barclays analyst Julien Roch says the email could have potential implications for the trial brought by Vivendi's minority investors against the Bollorés
** Minority investors claim that Vivendi's 2024 spin-offs into Canal+ CAN.L, Havas HAVAS.AS and Louis Hachette ALHG.PA unfairly increased the Bolloré family's influence
** If the court rules against the family, it could be required to carry out one of France's largest buyouts since 2022, at an estimated cost of €6 billion to €9 billion ($7 billion to $10.5 billion)
** BFMTV reported it had gained access to an email obtained by the French Financial Markets Authority titled "De facto control of the Bolloré Group over Vivendi", in which Bolloré BOLL.PA explains how, despite holding a minority stake in Vivendi, it could in practice control 50% of shareholder voting rights
** Vivendi and Bolloré were not immediately available for comment
($1 = €0.8590)

(Reporting by Lucie Barbier)
((Email: lucie.barbier@thomsonreuters.com))